Operation Walk: Nicaragua

OR nurse Karen Watchorn shifts supplies in a St James warehouse readying the inventory for shipment to Nicaraugua. - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressJordan Middlestead, a recipient of multiple hip replacements himself, sorts and positions gear to be shipped to Minagua for Operation Walk. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press August 27, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressA delivery man juggles a stack of boxes as the Op-Walk's medical supplies arrive at the hospital in Managua. - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressA badly crippled man makes his way on hands and knees through a Managua public market....Winnipeg's Operation Walk team arrived in the Nicaraguan Capitol to treat people like him who depend on their own mobility to survice in the central American country. - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressFamily (some bearing gifts) arrive at Managua's Hospital Escuelda, Dr. Roberto Caulderon Gutierrez. THey provide not only moral support but food, care and everything from showers to clean sheets. - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressA patient waits "patiently" for documents at Managua's Hospital Escuelda, Dr. Roberto Caulderon Gutierrez records window. - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressWearing a traditional nurses "cap" a nicaraguan nurse takes care of record keeping behind a prayer poster on an emergency ward in Managua. - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressPatients on walkers and crutches arrive for an assessment clinic at Managua's Hospital Escuelda, Dr. Roberto Caulderon Gutierrez, where the Operation Walk team will perform knee replacements. - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressLucia Moyorga arrives with her son's support for her pre-operation assessment by the Operation Walk team. - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free PressPatients line up in droves for a day clinic at Managua's Hospital Escuelda, Dr. Roberto Caulderon Gutierrez, a public teaching hospital where care is provided by the governmet. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Lucia Moyorga is supported by Adian Salonga (left) and Victor Medina as she gets her feet underneath her for the first time following her surgery. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Using a single cane and carrying his crutches Juan Canda leaves the hospital in Managua for home four days after "bi-lateral" surgery, both knees were replaced. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Juan Canda explores the hallway past his recovery ward under the watchfull care of Op-Walk staff in Managua. Juan received "bi-lateral" surgery, both knees were replaced. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - The morning after his surgery, Juan's dress shoes wait for his first walk. Juan received "bi-lateral" surgery, both knees were replaced. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Suffering the heat poorly, Lucia Moyorga urges her son to fan her harder after a short walk the day following her surgery. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - The morning after his surgery, Juan Canda's grimaces as he sinks into a chair after his first walk with physio-therapists Ian WIndle (left) Adrian Salonga. Juan received "bi-lateral" surgery, both knees were replaced. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Patients wait on their beds for surgery in the men's ward in Managua. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Sylvia Vega's daughter mirrors her mother's smile after coming to the ward following her operation, the first by the Operation Walk team from WInnipeg in Managua. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Surrounded by empty beds waiting for the next Op-Walk patients, Sylvia Vega recovers under the care of nurse Elaine Hassan in post op care she was one of two candidates operated on first by the Operation Walk team from WInnipeg in Managua. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Juan Canada walks toward his home on the outskirts of Managua four days after recieving bi-lateral knee replacement surgery. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - A Nicaraguan OR nurse shoulders wrapped sterile instruments to the OR for Winnipeg's Operation Walk team as surgery begins. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - A petite Maria Gomez is surrounded by specialists from the Operation Walk team for her assessment prior to surgery. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - A stainless steel mallet drives home a piece of a knee replacement in Managua. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Surgical candidate Maria Gomez clutches her files and x-rays as she waits for an assessment by the Operation Walk team. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Operation Walk Surgeon David Heddon has his work reflected on a visor during knee replacement surgery in Managua. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Surgeon Eric Bohm (left) Dr Jon March (center) and Dr Jason Crosby (right) lwork on replacing a knee while Nicaraguan surgical nurses watch with interest. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Sylvia Vega is wheeled into the OR, she was one of two candidates operated on first by the Operation Walk team from WInnipeg in Managua. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - A patient waiting for "bi-lateral" suregery to replace both knees has the order written on his thighs before heading into the OR. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Dr Stephen Henry (left) and Dr Tom Turgeon and a combined team of specilists from Winnipeg and Managua, check a patients meds during an assessment prior to surgery. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Prior to the first operation Dr Jason Crosby lifts Juan Canda's leg as Surgeon David Heddon watches. Juan was one of the first two patients operated on in Managua by Winnipeg's Op-Walk team. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press October 25, 2012 - Stepping carefully out onto his front step Friday afternoon Bill Desjardins waits for his knee replacement surgery at Concordia Hospital Monday morning. August 10, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press - Bill Desjardins carefully lowers himself down the front steps of the St Boniface home he shares with his son and daughter-in-law. Both his artritic knees needed replacing. August 10, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press - OR nurse Alison Bartel fits a sterile "hat" on Dr Thomas Turgeon as the Operation Walk team members prepare for for knee replacement surgery at Concordia Hospital Monday morning. August 13, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press - Sleeping in post op ICU, William (Bill) Desjardin's vital signs are monitored by a nurse after knee replacement surgery at Concordia Hospital Monday moring. August 13, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press - Waiting in pre-op, William (Bill) Desjardin talks with the Concordia Hospital's pharmasist before knee replacement surgery Monday moring. August 13, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press - OR nurse Alison Bartel re-assures Bill Desjardins "all is well" prior to moving him to post-op after knee replacement surgery at Concordia Hospital Monday morning. August 13, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press - Focused on the work reflected in his sterile vison, Dr Thomas Turgeon performs knee replacement surgery at Concordia Hospital Monday morning. August 13, 2012 - (Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press) - Surgeon, Dr Thomas Turgeon checks digital x-rays prior to knee replacement surgery at Concordia Hospital Monday moring. August 13, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press - THe morning after, Bill Desjardins is up and moving as physio therapist Adrian Salonga coaches him down the hospital ward hall. Post Knee replacement surgery at Concordia Hospital Tuesday moring. August 14, 2012 - Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press - Bill DesJardin holds the 30 staples used to close the gaping incision made by surgeons at Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg to replace his right knee. September 6, 2012 -(Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press) - Still dependent on painkillers, (but out of supply and his doctor away) Bill DesJardin makes his way across his living room three weeks after surgery to replace his right knee. -

In October 2012 a medical team of surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and support stuff traveled from Winnipeg to Managua, Nicaragua to perform knee replacements for those who normally could not afford surgeries. Operation Walk sends teams around the world on orthopedic aid missions, the Winnipeg teams from Concordia and Seven Oaks raised $180,000. Free Press photojournalist Phil Hossack documented the trip.

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